To update the database of Macao residents’ physical quality, and determine the current situation and changing pattern of residents’ physical quality in order to conduct a lateral comparative study on Macao residents ‘physical quality apropos neighbouring regions, thereby promoting ‘sport for all’ activities and providing reference for designing relevant sports policies, the Macao SAR Government, once again, initiated the 2010 Macao Residents Physical Fitness Monitoring & Assessment, five years after the pilot study was conducted in 2005. The study seeks to monitor and assess the physical quality of Macao residents aged between 3 and 69.

The Monitor Work was organised by the Macao Sport Development Board, and co-organised by the Health Bureau, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Social Welfare Bureau, the Tertiary Education Services Office and the Macao Polytechnic Institute, and obtained technical support from the China Institute of Sport Science of the General Administration of Sport of China. The three-month Monitor Work officially ran from 20th January 2010 to 20th April. It comprised two parts; the first featured a questionnaire with 20-odd questions on physical education and sports and living habits. The second consisted of some 20 testing indices related to body shape, physical function, quality and health.

The Assessment was conducted in the Olympic Sports Centre, and targeted four different age groups; namely, the infant child group (kindergarten children aged from 3 to 6), the teenage group (students of primary, secondary or tertiary school aged from 6 to 22), the adult-at-work group (aged from 20 to 59) and the elderly group (aged from 60 to 69). The monitoring samples were primarily collected from local primary, secondary and tertiary schools, colleges and universities, community associations, public and private organisations and elderly services organisations. Via the co-ordination and support of relative organisations, the monitoring and assessment were conducted smoothly throughout and collected a total of 1,065 samples in the children’s group, 5,132 in the student group, 3,544 in the adult group and 592 in the elderly group for monitoring purposes.

Following the three-month campaign, the organiser collected data from 10,333 residents who had their physical fitness tested. In addition to providing the government with their physical fitness data, participating residents could further understand their body shape, physical function and quality compared with the index data, including assessment in areas of body shape, blood pressure, lung capacity, cardio respiratory endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, balance and response. Upon completing the test, participants received an evaluation report of their physical condition as well as respective physical exercise suggestions and guidance.

After collecting data on Macao residents’ physical fitness test, the organiser conducted a random telephone survey based on the questionnaire contents, and entered and collated the data in May and June. The organiser also commissioned the China Institute of Sport Science to conduct a logical examination and data verification. In the final stage, the monitor report will be drafted and compiled into the 2010 Macao Residents Physical Fitness Monitor Report.